[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 21, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 62446-62447]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-24944]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration

7 CFR Part 810

RIN 0580-AA96


United States Standards for Soybeans

AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA.

ACTION: Withdrawal of advance notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: On May 1, 2007, the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration (GIPSA) published an advance notice of proposed 
rulemaking (ANPR) in the Federal Register seeking public comment on the 
effectiveness of the soybean standards. We asked for input on factors 
used in the current standards and grading procedures, whether changes 
in soybean processing practices and technology merited changes in the 
standards, and whether any other changes were needed to ensure that the 
standards remain relevant to market needs. Because the comments that we 
received did not indicate a consensus concerning changes to the 
standards, we will not proceed with rulemaking in this matter.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ross D. Heiman at USDA, GIPSA, FGIS, 
Market and Program Analysis Staff, Suite 180, STOP 1404, 6501 Beacon 
Drive, Kansas City, Missouri 64133; Telephone (816) 823-2580; Fax 
Number (816) 823-4644; e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: GIPSA published an advance notice of 
proposed rulemaking (ANPR) in the Federal Register on May 1, 2007 (72 
FR 23775), initiating a review of the United States Standards for 
Soybeans to determine their effectiveness and responsiveness to current 
grain industry needs. The original notice provided an opportunity for 
interested parties to comment until July 2, 2007. In response to a 
request from the soybean industry, on July 20, 2007 (72 FR 39764), 
GIPSA reopened the comment period until August 20, 2007, to provide 
interested parties with additional time in which to comment. We 
received 17 comments from producers, handlers, international 
associations and companies, and an academic. The comments that we

[[Page 62447]]

received did not indicate a consensus concerning changes to the 
standards.
    The one issue that merits further review is amending grading limits 
for soybean foreign material (FM). Based on the lack of consensus and, 
at times, conflicting information provided by some commenters, GIPSA 
has determined that we need to enhance our understanding of the soybean 
marketing/processing system and collect additional data about the 
quality of soybeans. GIPSA will use data from its ongoing 5-year farm-
gate assessment before considering further rulemaking related to FM 
grading limits. The assessment will provide first-point-of-sale data 
related to soybean FM content and composition across the United States, 
providing an FM range that can be used to formulate new FM grade 
limits, if appropriate. Accordingly, we will not proceed with 
rulemaking in this matter.

    Authority: (7 U.S.C. 87k).

Randall D. Jones,
Acting Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-24944 Filed 10-20-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-KD-P